The almoravids (1 Viewer)

[Barkmann]

I dipped into this range with 3 of the mounted Almoravids, great to see some standing figures released, now I am in a bit of a quandary over which of the foot figures to collect, whether to stay with the black clothed figures or to go for brown/tan clothed figures. Do not much about the uniforms of the time, anyone know if or what the differences are?

Which are you going for?

Please I do want to hear “Buy both”.

I only plan to collect the Almorvids in this range as I think they will make a nice small/medium sized diorama grouping, plus they are unusual. I am just looking at the 3 now and they are great, they are mostly coloured black, horses and clothing, but in a strange way they are quite colourful.

 

[mikemiller1955]

I can't comment on the color significance...
but I'm collecting the Almoravids dresses in black...
they look like Muslim Ninjas...^&grin

 

[egonzinc]

I’ve been thinking the same thing. As for now, I’m staying with the black. But down the line I might go with one or two poses of the brown. The painting of the briwn versions is stunning and might give interesting variety to the display. No plans to buy the same pose in the teo color… for now!

 

[NZGary]

I will have a crack at collecting both for a while and see how it goes. I prefer the tan version but also like the variety of colours having both represents. I dabble a little in collecting both colours of Roman shields (red and yellow) but do not get all the sets in each colour as it becomes too expensive. But the variety works well together having groups of different units.

 

[MikeNick]

I will have a crack at collecting both for a while and see how it goes. I prefer the tan version but also like the variety of colours having both represents. I dabble a little in collecting both colours of Roman shields (red and yellow) but do not get all the sets in each colour as it becomes too expensive. But the variety works well together having groups of different units.

The bannerman holding the Koran seems to be a stunning piece. If the drummer on foot was separate, then I would get it too. I am partial to the ones in black.

 

[Vicknor]

I dipped into this range with 3 of the mounted Almoravids, great to see some standing figures released, now I am in a bit of a quandary over which of the foot figures to collect, whether to stay with the black clothed figures or to go for brown/tan clothed figures. Do not much about the uniforms of the time, anyone know if or what the differences are?

Which are you going for?

Please I do want to hear “Buy both”.

I only plan to collect the Almorvids in this range as I think they will make a nice small/medium sized diorama grouping, plus they are unusual. I am just looking at the 3 now and they are great, they are mostly coloured black, horses and clothing, but in a strange way they are quite colourful.

Without giving too much away, you are going to need BOTH at some point

 

[jason foote]

They both look great. I will collect a few of the brown spearman and archers to take on my Normans and Norman crusaders
Jas

 

[mikemiller1955]

Jason...
tech me...
did the Normans actually fight the Almoravids?

 

[jazzeum]

Jason...
tech me...
did the Normans actually fight the Almoravids?

That would have been unlikely as their northernmost penetration was probably into Aragon in Spain unless in their expeditions they came in contact with the Almoravids.

 

[mikemiller1955]

I was hoping Jason was right and knew something I didn't...
I'm not collecting the El Cid series...other than the Almoravids...
so I don't have a combatant for them...
they are still cool as a "stand alone" diorama...
somebody told me they may have fought Saracens...
I have tons of them...all that K&C ever made...
but my research can't justify that either...

any historians can shed some light on this?

 

[marco55]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almoravid_dynasty

 

[jason foote]

Jason...
tech me...
did the Normans actually fight the Almoravids?

Hi Mike I am no expert on the Almoravids or the Normans. However, the Normans did conquer large swathes of Southern Italy and Sicily. They definitely fought Saracens in Salerno c1000 ad. So the Almoravids could be used as Saracens and it would not be too out of context.
Not denying what the other boys say, as I said, I am no expert...just a history lover and toy soldier freak
Jas

 

[paxtoysoldier]

Hi Mike I am no expert on the Almoravids or the Normans. However, the Normans did conquer large swathes of Southern Italy and Sicily. They definitely fought Saracens in Salerno c1000 ad. So the Almoravids could be used as Saracens and it would not be too out of context.
Not denying what the other boys say, as I said, I am no expert...just a history lover and toy soldier freak
Jas

Good thinking, Jason. They may not have been in Sicily but I have seen a wargamer and a wargame both use the same Muslim figures to fight Normans in Sicily and in Spain in the 11th Century. I don't think there is much difference in uniform, but I am far from an expert and would love to be corrected by one.

Also, Kudos for getting every Saracen by K&C, Mike. We did that up to about 3 dozen figures (including horsemen and camel-riders and flags galore) because we thought them to be some of the best figures we had seen to date at a good price. But we gave up. Not enough discipline!
Would love to see your entire army of Medieval Islam! Wish we all had tables big enough to show such things.
Anyway Best Wishes, Stay Safe, and hope my dog makes it through the night (I'm up with him now; his breathing is not a good sign). Be cheerful no matter what!
Paddy

 

[marco55]

Godspeed to your dog.
Mark

 

[Barkmann]

Good thinking, Jason. They may not have been in Sicily but I have seen a wargamer and a wargame both use the same Muslim figures to fight Normans in Sicily and in Spain in the 11th Century. I don't think there is much difference in uniform, but I am far from an expert and would love to be corrected by one.

Also, Kudos for getting every Saracen by K&C, Mike. We did that up to about 3 dozen figures (including horsemen and camel-riders and flags galore) because we thought them to be some of the best figures we had seen to date at a good price. But we gave up. Not enough discipline!
Would love to see your entire army of Medieval Islam! Wish we all had tables big enough to show such things.
Anyway Best Wishes, Stay Safe, and hope my dog makes it through the night (I'm up with him now; his breathing is not a good sign). Be cheerful no matter what!
Paddy

Hope the dog is OK,

 

[jason foote]

Thanks mate. Like you Barkman I am going to use my JJD Norman and Norman style crusaders to take on the Almoravids and my small collection of a dozen K n C Saracens.
Jas

 

[cantinetozzo]

I live in a place called Locri,on the eastern coast of Calabria, near an old town called Gerace (actually Locri is the same town of Gerace but on the sea). Gerace was an important place in Norman Calabria and was destroyed two times by the Muslim invaders , one in the 7th Century and one in the 10th (but at the time the Byzantines ruled the place). The Normans came in 1050, with the brothers Count Roger and Robert the Guiscard, the Guiscard was father of the famous Bohemond (born in Calabria)one of the leaders of the First Crusade (and i hope John Jenkins will reproduce him in scale). They started a great program of castle building, not different from that of England. Today southern Italy is also teeming with blonde haired people that we call "normans"(but could also angevin, the domination following ) .So, even if in my little town the last great assault was in 10th century, it's not improbable that pockets of muslim resistance existed in other parts of the southern Italy, Calabria, Sicily, Apulia etc. So yes, the Normans could be used alongside or against the Muslim figures...